Bermuda's third political party has joined forces with the Opposition and rebel Government MPs to demand that the old Canadian military base at Daniel's Head should be kept out of the Base lands redevelopment plans.

National Liberal Party chairman Charles Jeffers said: "We feel this land should be part of the latest Bermuda Plan put forward by the Ministry of Planning and the Environment.'' The Progressive Labour Party lost a vote in the House of Assembly last week to keep Daniel's Head for the community by 19 votes to 18.

The five rebel UBP members split and two Opposition members were absent, allowing the ruling United Bermuda Party to carry the day.

The PLP backed proposals by a Sandys action group to keep Daniel's Head out of the hands of the new Bermuda Land Development Company and in public use.

Mr. Jeffers said: "Under the Planning Ministry, the use of the land could be easily contested -- the usage of the different sections of land would be subject to the planning regulations.'' He added that the UBP's desire to replace the estimated $50 million lost when the bases shut down appeared to be motivating Government to act without proper planning and forethought in their desire to find solutions.'' Mr. Jeffers said: "We contend that replacing jobs for the number of Bermudians who were employed in the bases would fall far short of replacing the lost revenue.'' And he said the question which should be asked was how many and what type of businesses would be needed to generate a similar income.

He added: "In our view, the rush to get things moving by Government may not be in the best interests of Bermuda in the long-term.'' The National Liberal Party lost its only seat in Parliament in 1993.